I started cleaning a new firestone keg, and noticed that the poppet valves don't come out of the posts. I'm not sure if there's a release mechanism that I've missed, but it looks like the three-pronged base of the poppet valve is wedged into a compartment in the post.

Is this a situation where you'd buy new posts? Do I clean this like normal without taking the poppet valve out of the post? Or am I missing something? Thanks.

Someone says to "gently pry the legs out" but man, it seems like hercules couldn't pry those out.

Anyone have a detailed description of how to pry them out? Thanks!

I made the image in the referenced thread.

The legs of the poppet latch over the top of the ledge. Keep in mind that the poppet assembly is spring loaded. The same way that you can push the poppet down to allow beer/gas flow, you can push up on the bottom of the poppet. Doing this will relieve a lot of tension so that you can place a small screwdriver behind one of the 3 legs and spring it inward. Once one of the legs is off the ledge, the other 2 are relatively easy to manage.

I had the same exact thing on the refurbished kegs that I recently had delivered. Here is what I did.

- Soaked the post in hot water for about 15 minutes, then replaced with fresh hot water for another 15 minutes.

- Then I moved to valve to near ice cold water hoping to contract the metal just a bit for about 15 minutes

- I took the valve out of the water and stood it up on my counter, I'd recommend to place it on a cutting board if you have one so that it is slightly softer then a stainless steel skin counter. I got a "clicky" pen, with the point retraced, so that I can depress the poppet valve and I pressed down. I didn't have to use my full force/body weight, but I still used a good amount of force. It came out then I soaked everything (now separated) in water to remove anythign residual on the valve..

I use a big nail with the tip blunted by sanding it down. Just put the post on a solid surface with carefully place the BLUNTED nail in the of the poppet and gently tap it out with a hammer. You dont need to or want to go crazy just firm taps with a hammer will get it out.

I posted the referenced thread a few weeks ago so I know your pain. Finally figured out that a decent pair of needle nose pliars will do the trick. You have to get a pretty good grip on one of the legs and then pull out on it towards the center (not down). I had to pull pretty hard, harder than I thought I would but once I got one leg out, the rest were easy. After I had a sense for what to do the second post was a breeze.

Also, when you go to put it back together be sure to reseat the legs on the ledge, if you don't the post will leak, the poppets have to be seated on that ledge to seal properly. Ultimately I will not buy another keg like this b/c it is a PITA compared to the other types where they just pop out. Definitely something I will be checking for before I buy my next keg.

I posted the referenced thread a few weeks ago so I know your pain. Finally figured out that a decent pair of needle nose pliars will do the trick. You have to get a pretty good grip on one of the legs and then pull out on it towards the center (not down). I had to pull pretty hard, harder than I thought I would but once I got one leg out, the rest were easy. After I had a sense for what to do the second post was a breeze.

Also, when you go to put it back together be sure to reseat the legs on the ledge, if you don't the post will leak, the poppets have to be seated on that ledge to seal properly. Ultimately I will not buy another keg like this b/c it is a PITA compared to the other types where they just pop out. Definitely something I will be checking for before I buy my next keg.

Good luck!

Wow, I just pulled my first out after reading this thread and wound up using a needle nose, as well.

I'm a little concerned that the gaskets on the top of these may eventually leak. Does anyone know where new poppets for these can be purchased? (I think these are type D?)